Machine for



Oct.- 29, 1929. E. J. RAY

CHINE FOR OPERATING ON HEELS Filed Dec. 30. 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet lll ll Oct. 29, 1929. E. J. RAY

MACHINE FOR OPERATING ON HEELS Filed Dec. 50, 1922 4 Sheets$heet Oct. 29, 1929. E. J. RAY

MACHINE FOR OPERATING ON HEELS Filed Dec. 30, 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet Oct. 29, 1929. v J RAY 1,733,201

MACHINE FOR OPERATING ON HEELS Filed Dec. 30, 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Will Patented Oct. 29, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFME EUGENE J". BAY, OF BEVERLY, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO UNITED SHOE MA- CHINERY CORPORATION, OF PATERSDN, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY MACHINE FOR OPERATING 0N HEELS Application filed December 30, 1922. Serial Ho. 609,947.

This invention relates to machines for the manufacture of shoes and more particularly to means for supporting and positioning shoe part blanks during the performance of one or of a plurality of operations thereon.

It is an object of this invention to provide a machine for performing a plurality of operations in succession upon like shoe part blanks organized to produce an unlimited number of standardized blanks which will be highly accurate in their dimensions and substantially identical in all respects. Such uniformity of like shoe parts is a prime requisite in the efficient production of a standardized Y shoe according to methods such as that disclosed in the copending application of George E. lVarren, Serial No. 476,659, filed June 11, 1921. While as herein illustrated and described the invention is illustrated as embodied in a machine designed for operating on heels or heel sections, it will be understood that in its broader aspects it may have various applications and uses.

In one aspect the invention resides in the provision of improved means for positioning pieces of work with respect to a. plurality of instrumentalities, the same positioning surfaces on the work being utilized for co-operation with the positioning means in locating the work for the operation at each of a plurality of successive stations.

In another aspect the invention resides in the provision in an organization for trimming and compressing shoe part blanks of means for receiving the shoe part blanks and transferring them in succession to the trimming and compressing means.

In still another aspect the invention contemplates the provision of means for compressing a shoe part blank in an organization which also provides means for so trimming the blank with relation to predetermined points in one surface thereof that the blank is properly related to the compressing means when located therein by reference to the same predetermined points in the surface of the blank.

From another viewpoint the invention provides means for trimming a heel blank to produce a slanting surface on the convex edge portion thereof and means for subsequently compressing the heel blank while held at the proper inclination as determined by the trimming operation, means being provided for receiving the heel blank at the proper inclination from the trimming means and delivering it at the same inclination to the compressing means.

In the illustrative machine, means is associated with both the trimming and the compressing means to engage the shoe part blank properly with the positioning means therefor before the beginning of the trimming and compressing operations. As shown, a carrier with a plurality of arms is intermittently moved to present blanks to the trimming means and to the compressing means in succession and to discharge them after the compressing operation. Conveniently the blanks are placed in a magazine and fed therefrom to the carrier by means mechanically operative for the purpose, it being required merely that the magazine be kept supplied with the blanks. A number of operations are performed on the blanks and the finished product discharged without intervention in the least degree on the part of the operator, thus eliminating possibility of injury to the latter.

The invention resides further in an improved organization for moving a blank carrier successively to blank receiving, trimming, and compressing stations and into exact registration with the instrumentalities at the respective stations so that each blank may be received in proper position by the carrier and delivered in predetermined relation to the successive instrumentalit-ies.

Other important features of the invention and novel combinations of parts will be described in the specification and pointed out in the appended claims.

The present case is a continuation of United States application Serial No. 538,622, filed February 23, 1922, in my name, as to all subject-matter common to the two cases.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a. view in front elevation of a machine embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a view of the same machine looking from the right in Fig. 1;

ISO

Fi g. 3 is a view partly in section taken on a transverse, vertical plane oi the machine and showing the con'ipressor mechanism;

Fig. a is a view partly in section along a line running vertically through the trimming die;

Fig. 5 is a view along the line 5, 5 of Fig. 4 looking in the direction of the a arrows;

Fig. 6 is a detail view, partly in section, of the blank carrier;

Fig. 7 is a detail plan view of the blank carrier Fig. 8 is a plan view from above of the carrier moving and locking mechanism; and

Fig. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of the magazine and blank feeding mechanism, shown in section in Fig. 2.

In the illustrative machine there is provided, brie'lly stated, a magazine 12 (Fig. 2) from which blanks are fed intermittently to a carrier indicated by the reference character 14, which is operative to carry the blanks in succession to the trimming means, compri ing the die 16, and to blank compressing means con'iprising the heel seat compressor member or heel seat die 18 (Figs. 2 and thetop compressor member or tread die 20, and the compressor mold 22, the construction and arrangement being preferably such that the blank is trimmed by the operation of the die 16 and subsequently compressed, after which it is returned to the carrier and disposed of at a discharge station where the finished article may be received in a magazine or other receptacle provided for the purpose.

The machine shown in the d awings is especiall adapted to operate upon a heel blank such as that disclosed. in the copending application Serial No. 476,659, already referred to, the said blank having in general the characteristics of the blank shown in Figs. 7 and 9 of the drawings of this application, wherein heel blank 2% is seen to have jig holes 25, and also an offset in 'e providing a shoulder 26 which may be straight across the blank or curved to correspond to a curved breast edge on the heel blank. Vl hile, as stated, the machine is especially adapted for operation upon heel blanks, it will be understood that the invention and many out its important features may have other applications and uses.

As stated in the foregoing description, a magazine 12 is preferably provided for feeding the blanks 24 into the machine, the maga' zine serving the purpose of facilitating the work of the operator and also that of minimizing the chances of injury to the operator since in the employment of the magazine herein disclosed there is no necessity for the hand coming in contact with the reciprocatory feeder slide 30 which feeds the blanks from the bottom of the magazine. As shown, the magazine is made considerably larger than the blanks to be contained thereby, so

that the latter may be readily dropped into place with the breast edge of the heel blanks facing toward the machine. Since one blank at a time is to be led by the feed slide, an opening is left at the forward end of the magazine 12 just sufficient to permit the lowermost blank to pass. In order that there may be no damage to the front wall of the magazine nor serious obstruction to the reciprocatory movements of the feed slide 30 in case of misplacement of the blanks or the introduction of a blank or other body of unusual size, the front wall oi the magazine is preferably so con structed that it will yield, under the circumstances described, to permit the feed slide to make its full stroke without damage to the parts. In the construction shown, two gate members 3%, 36 (Fig. are provided to close the forward end of the magazine 12, the said gate members being pivoted upon a rod 38 carried in hearings to provided at the upper forward corners ot the magazine 12, the said gate members being retained yieldingly in operative posit-i on by means of springs, one of which is shown at 42 as connected to the lower gate at and to a stationary pin on the side of the magazine, while a similar spring (not shown) is connected to the other side of the magazine and to the upper gate 36 in a manner similar to the connections for the spring 42, each gate being thus provided with one spring for holding it in operative position. It will be noticed that the gate 34: extends below the gate 36 a distance which corresponds approximately to the thickness of one of the blanks so that if the blank next above that being moved by the slide 30 should possibly be engaged and moved in the feeding direction the gate at will readily yield to permit of its passage while the blanks above meet greater resistance since they are confronted by both gates at and 36 and are thus retained in place in the magazine. Moreover since they are not at all likely to be engaged by the slide they will not ordinarily otter very great resistance against being retained within the magazine. The gate an is spaced from the floor of the magazine a distance to permit the passage of one blank of the size indicated in the drawing. Also the gate 34: will yield readilyenough to permit the passage of a considerably larger heel, while the superposed heel will be retained by the gate 36 in co-operation with the gate 34:. In other words, by the employment of the two gates disposed as shown, the need for adjustment to care for the proper feeding of blanks of various sizes is obviated. Conveniently, the magazine 12 has side extensions 46 by which it is secured to a plate or table 48 supported at the upper end of the bracket 50 carried by the machine frame 52. Extcn ding rearwardly from the magazine is a cover plate 53 over the slide 30. It will be understood that the lowermost heel blank 24 in the magazine rests upon the upper surface of the plate or table 48 and is shoved along the said surface by the feeder slide 30 until the shoulder 26 thereof comes into contact with an abutment 54, fixedly secured to the plate 48, which serves as a gage to position each blank at the receiving station with respect to the carrier 14. For the purpose of insuring that each blank 24 will be located exactly in contact with the gage the feed slide 30 is yieldingly actuated through connections with the lever 60 pivoted at 62 to a bracket extending from the frame-work 52 of the machine. As shown, the connections between the lever 60 and the slide 30 comprise a link 64 (Fig. 2) pivoted to the upper end of the lever and to one end. of a rod 66 which projects through an opening in one end of a housing member 68 which surrouncs and retains a spring 70, arranged to resist yieldingly outward movement of the rod 66, the housing 68 being integral with, or securely attached to, a web which extends downwardly from the slide 30 through the slot 7 2 in the plate 48. Pivotally connected to the lower end of the lever 60 is a link 76, the other end of which is, in turn, pivotally connected to a lever 78 which is operated from the cam wheel 80. Conveniently, the link 76 is extensible through a turn buckle indicated at 82, the purpose being to operate the lever 60 so that the throw at the upper end of the lever will be greater than is sufiicient to bring the heel blank in contact with the gage 54, the n'iovementof the upper end of the lever 60 and the connections with the feed slide 30 being such as to press the heel blank yieldingly against the gage, thereby insuring that all blanks, although they may vary slightly in size. will be properly positioned against the As stated above, a carrier 14 is provided for receiving and transferring the blanks successively to the trimming and to the compressing in ans. In the construction shown this 5 u e I carrier comprises a plurality of sets of arms 90, two in each set, to engage opposite sides of a heel blank, the arms preferably carrying pivoted to their end portions blocks 92, each of which presents two spaced frlction surfaces 94, 96 (Fig. 9) thereby providing a construction such that the heel blanks will be gripped with sufiicient pressure and at points relatively spaced from each other to insure that they will be supported properly in the desired plane in their travel from one station to another. By pivoting the blocks 92 in the ends of the arms 90 they may adjust themselves to the sides of the blanks to engage both surfaces 94 96 therewith, the said surfaces ith their relatively wide spacing with respect to each other insuring against tipping of the blank upon a transverse axis, as might occur i the points of support wer nearer to each other. For holding the blocks so that they will not swing into obstructive position with respect to the incoming heel at the receiving station, a spring 97 is provided for each block, the spring operating in a wellknown manner. For urging the arms 90 of each set toward each other to grip a heel blank, there is provided spring means such as a spring 100 which stends between the two arms 90 and operates yieldingly to hold the bloc IS 92 in engagement with the heel blank. As shown, each arm 90 is pivoted upon a stud 102 carried by the plate 104, the said stud serving conveniently as a support for two arms of adjacent sets of arms, as shown in F 7 in the drawings. Each arm, as shown, is provided with an extension 106 which carries teeth constantly in mesh with corresponding teeth of a short rack bar 108 mounted for sliding movement on the under side of the plate 104. Each rack bar 108 has a slot for receiving the upper end of an operating lever 110 (Fig. 6) pivoted at 112 on the sleeve 114 which supports and operates the carrier 14. It will be clear from an inspection of Fig. 7 that each rack bar 108 opcrates the two arms 90 of one set of arms, it being understood that movement of the rack bar in a direction toward the periphery of the plate 104 will open the arms to receive or to release a heel blank, movement of the rack bar in a direction toward the center of the plate 104 being caused by the spring 100 which closes the arms, causing them to clasp a heel blank preparatory to transferring it from one station to another. Referring to Fig. 6 of the drawings, it will be seen that the means for operating the levers 110 comprises a collar 116 having a wedge-shaped peripheral portion 118 adapted to contact with cam projections 120 on all four levers 110 at the same time upon upward movement of the collar. Hence, the arms 90 of the carrier 14 are opened simultaneously to release the heel blanks carried thereby and are closed simultaneously to receive the heel blanks at the receiving, the trimming, and the compressing stations. For moving the collar 116 upwardly to operate the levers 110 there is provided a rod 122 which is reciprocable vertically in line with the vertical axis of the operating sleeve 114 of the carrier. At its upper end the rod 122 is in contact with a block 124 slidable in the bore of an operating shaft 125 on which sleeve 114 is mounted, said block having a pin 126 passing through slots in the shaft 125 upon which the collar 116 is mounted for sliding movement, the said pin 126 engaging its opposite ends with the said collar so that as the block 124 is shoved upwardly by the rod 122, the collar 116 is also moved upwardly to effect operation of the levers 11.0, as above described. For keeping the block 124 in contact with the upper end of the rod 122 there is provided a spring 130 within the bore of the shaft 125, said spring thus serving to return the collar 116 downwardly to its inoperative position at the same time that the rod 122 is retracted through the operation of the lever arm 13%. which is connected to the rod 122, by the link 136, said lever arm 13 1 being operated through a second lever arm 138 fastened to shaft 135-) and having at its upper end a roll 146 which runs in a cam slot in a member 141 (Fig. 1) fivedly secured to the reciprocable member hereinafter described. it will be understood that the rod 122 is operated to cause the opening of the arms and is then retracted to permit of the closing of the arms, both movements of the rod 122 taking place while the carrier 14: is at rest.

i l leans is provided for rotating the carrier 1 1 step by step so that each set of arms is presented successively at the receiving sta tion opposite the feeding sl .d it 30, at the trimming station opposite the cutting die 16, at the compressing station above the heel seat die 18, and finally at the discharge station where the blanks are dropped upon the upper end of the chute 146 (Fig. 1). "While any suitable means may be provided for causing such intermittent rotative movement of the carrier let, that provided is especially desirable since it not only moves the carrier in exact predetermined amounts and in the manner described, but looks the car fer in the intervals bet-ween rotative movements, that is, when the carrier is at rest and in operative relaion with respect to the trimming and compressing instrumentalities. Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 6 it will be observed that the sleeve 11%, which supports the carrier 14, is pinned to the shaft 125 journaled in a bearing 150 carried by a bracket 152 fixedly secured to the stationary cross head 15a, and also in a bearing 155 on the machine frame. At its upper end the shaft 125 is provided with a worm gear 156 (Fig, 8) which is constantly in mesh with a worm 158 integral with, or fixedly secured to, a sleeve 166 movable lengthwise of the shaft 162 but constrained to rotate therewith because of the engagement of forked projecting portions 164 of the sleeve with studs 166 rigid with the collar 166, the latter being pinned securely to the shaft, as indicated at 170. As shown, each of the studs 166 carries a roller 172 thus providing an anti-friction device between the stud and the forked portions 164 on the sleeve 160. As the shaft rotates through the operation of power means hereinafter described, the cam member 174, which is fixedly secured to the sleeve 160, and is provided with a cam slot 1? 6, is caused to move lengthwise of the shaft because of the engagement of the stationary roll 176 in the cam slot 176. It will be understood that the sleeve 160 together with the worm 158 and the cam member 174 cons mute parts of one unitary structure which provided with means, namely, the cam slot 176, by which it is moved lengthwise of the shaft 162, and is also provided with other means, namely, the worm 158, by which its reciprocatory movement on the shaft is transmitted to the worm gear 156. Upon bodily movement of the unitary structure just described to the left in Fig. 8, the gear wheel 156 and the shaft 125 are rotated in a counterclockwise direction to cause movement of the carrier 14 by which its blank carrying arms move from one station to another. Another part of the cam slot 176 has the same pitch as that of the worm 158, so that when the sleeve 160 with the parts carried thereby are moving to the right there is no movement of the gear 156 which remains locked in position by the interconnection of the worm teeth on the worm 158 and the worm gear teeth on the worm gear 156. It will be understood, then, that rotation of the shaft 162 continuously in one direction effects reciprocation of the sleeve 160 but it continues to rotate with the shaft 162, and that upon movement in one direction of the said sleeve and the parts con nected thereto, the shaft 125 is rotated. through a. distance which corresponds to one step of the movement of the carrier l t, and that upon movement in another direction of the sleeve 160 and its connected parts, the said shaft remains stationary and is locked, holding the carrier fixedly in proper alinement with the trimming and compressing instrumentalities and in proper position to receive another heel blank from the magazine. While the operating means just described can be depended upon to move the carrier and register it properly with the various work operating instrumentalities, as a matter of precaution another locking means has been provided in the form of a key 184: (Fig. 6), secured to the vertically reciprocable cross head 14:2 and adapted to enter one of a plurality of notches 166 in a plate 188 fixedly secured to the sleeve 114: fast to the shaft 125, the said notches being so disposed as to be in exact vertical alinement with the center lines between each pair of blank clamping arms 90. As the movable cross head 1&2 rises to cause the trimming and compressing operations, the key 18% enters the slot 186 at the time in vertical alinement therewith and thus insures that the carrier is properly located to present the heel blanks to the trimming and to the compressing means which are operated simultaneously, as will be hereinafter described.

F or the operation of trimming the peripheral portions of a heel blank, there is provided in the illustrative construction, as before stated, a die 16 hai' 'ing a cutting edge in a plane inclined to the horizontal so as to trim the heel blank in such a manner that its breast edge and its convexly curved edge portion will each be provided with a surface inclined to the tread surface of the heel. Conveniently, the die 16 is fixedly mounted upon a bracket 190 fixedly secured to the movable cross head 142 so that upon vertical movement the cross head the cutting edge of the die is caused to co-operate with a cutting plate or block 192 secured to a bracket 194 iixed to the stationary cross head 154. The cutting block 192 in the preferred construction comprises a face plate of brass or other relatively soft metal in which a groove has been cut to receive the cutting edge of the die, itboing clear upon inspection of the drawings that the lower surface of the plate 192 is inclined to the iorizontal so as to be substantially parallel with the plane of the cutting edge of the die 16. In this connection it is noted that the surface of the support 48 is inclined to the horizontal at an angle of about 4 so that the blanks as taken up by the arms of the carrier 14 will have their top and bottom surfaces inclined to correspond to the inclination of the cutting edge of the die and of the or erative surface of the plate 192. Since the blank is received back into the carrier from the trimming die at the same inclination, it is delivered to the dies 18 and 20 the cosired inclination. As a matter of convenience there is secured to the bracket 190, which supports the die 16, an inclined guidim plate 196 for directing the shavings or scrap away from the die and effecting their discharge at one side of the machine into a box or other receptacle positioned to receive the scrap. Preferably the die 16 is provided with a blade 197 on the curved part of its periphery and also blades at each end of its breast edge as indicated at 198, the blades serving to cut the trimmings or scrap parts on the edge of the die thus lessening the friction on the die and facilitating discharge of the scrap.

In connection with the trimming means there is provided as an important feature of the invention a positioning means which will locate each heel blank in predetermined relation to the cutting edge of the die. The postioning means in the illustrated construction comprises pins 200, 202 adapted to engage in suitable perforations in the heel seat face of the heel. blank, which perforations are 10- catcd on a line which represents approximately the median line of the heel at right angles to the breast edge of the heel and which line in the trimmed heel will be exactly a median line. Conveniently the pins 200, 202 are mounted upon an ejector plate 204 which is provided with an inclined work-supporting surface, and-which moves down into the die as the heel is pressed against the plate 192 on the upward movement of the cross head 142, the said ejector subsequently moving relatively to the die in the opposite direction to eject the trimmed heel and to hold it in position where it may be again received by the carrier 14 to be carried to the com pressing means. In addition to the pins 200, 202 on the ejector 204 there is provided an abutment 206 which supports the portion of the heel beyond the shoulder 26 (Fig. 9) during the trimming operation. Upon inspection of Fig. 2, it will be seen that the positioning means for the compressing operation is constructed exactly like the positioning means for the trimming operation so that the trimmed heel will occupy, as to its peripheral portions, a predetermined relation to the heel seat die 18, which, in the present instance, consists in an absolute coincidence of the peripheral edge surface of the heel with the periphery of the heel seat die 18. Conveniently, therefore, the positioning means on the die 18 comprises pins 208, 210 in the same relative position to each other and to the abutment 212 on the upper surface of the die 18 as the corresponding jig pins 200, 202 bear to each other and to the abutment 206 on the upper surface of the ejector 204. Moreover, the said jig pins and abutment occupy the same relative position with 'espect to the cutting edge of the trimming die 16 that the corresponding jig pins and abutment bear to the periphery of the heel seat die 18. This is so in order that the trimmed heel blank may be compressed in the compressing operation and have its peripheral side portion subjected to the same pressure uniformly throughout the whole area which would not be the case if the positioning and supporting surfaces on the die 18 did not coincide exactly with the posi tioning and work supporting surfaces on the ejector 204 in their relations to the cutting edge of the trimming die. It will be understood that a larger trimming die than that shown may be used without making any cor responding change in the ejector 204.

In the illustrative construction the means provided for operating the ejector 204 comprises parts shown more particularly in Figs. 1, 4 and 5 of the drawings. It will be observed that the ejector is mounted fixedly at the upper end of a rod 216 which is vertically slidable in a bearing in the bracket 190 which supports the die 18. As shown, one side of the bearing is cut away so that a plate 218 may be secured in position to press a friction pad 220 carried thereby into firm contact with a portion of the surface of the rod 216, the said plate 218 being secured to the bracket 190 by means of bolts 222, springs 224 being provided between the head of the bolts and the adjacent surface of the plate to press the plate yieldingly but firmly toward clamping position with respect to the rod 216. Obviously the bolts 222 can be ad justed to vary the tension of the springs, and, therefore, of the pressure between the friction pad 220 i pon the surface of the rod 216.

t will. be understood that the effect of the construction shown is to hold the ejector 204 in the position to which it has been moved and to permit movement relatively to the trimming die 16. Carried fixedly by the lower end of the rod 216 is a collar 226 which is provided with a latch 228 (Fig. 1) pivoted thereto at 230 and having a tail portion 232 which. may be operated by a stud or abutment 234i fixedly and adjustably carried by a bracket 236 extending from the movable cross head 1&2. Conveniently, the rod 216 passes through a second bearing 238 provided on a bracket extending from a stationary part of the machine frame, the said bearing being provided with a lip or projecting abutment 2410 over which the latch 228 may engage when the die 16 and ejector 204: are in the upper parts of their paths of movement, the said latch 228 being urged into latching engagement with the lip 240 by a spring, not shown. hen the die and ejector on their downward movement with the movable cross head 142 reach a position such that the ejector 204 is supporting the trimmed heel blank within the compass of the opened arms of the carrier, the latch 228 engages the lip 240 to prevent further downward movement of the ejector until the arms have closed upon the heel blank, which becomes exposed, due to the continued downward movement of the die, which, as stated, is fixedly carried on the bracket 190 attacl'ied to the movable cross head Practically at the instant the arms 90 have closed upon the sides of the heel blank on the ejector 20%, the latch 228 is tripped through the operation of the stud 234; striking the tail 232 of the latch in the downward movement of the stud. Following the unlatching operation the ejector 20a continues its movement with the die, thus removing the positioning pins or pins 200, 202 from engagement with the heel blank seized by the arms 90 oi the carrier. It will be understood that the ejector 204: and its supporting rod 216 move with the die because of the operation of the clamping plate 218 which also permits the relative moven'ient between the die and ejector just (lOSCliiJECl. blot only does the ejector 204- serve to remove the trimmed heel from the die 16 but it operates also in conjunction with the plate 192 to seat the heel blank properly upon the pins 200, 202 bolt the trimming operation. This will be under zood from an inspection of Fig. 1 when. it is remembered that at the termination of the downward movement of the trimming die lo, the ejector 2 l is left projecting from the die, as shown in the said figure. As the die and the ejector start upwardly t() ;'(itl10l',tll0 ejector and the in; pins receive the heel blank from the opening arms 90 of the carrier and continuing upward in one continuous movement, the ejector 204 presses the heel blank against the under surface of the plate 192, thus seating the heel properly on the jig pins before the trimming operation, which takes place as the die advances over the then stationary ejector 20: until its cutting edge finally reaches the cutting plate 192. Vfhere a circular bar or rod 216 is utilized as a support for the ejector 204, means must be provided for insuring against rotation of the rod, otherwise the ejector 20% might be displaced rotatably with respect to the die while it is ouside of the latter, and hence the collar 226 carries also a plate 250 (Fig. l) which engages slidably in a groove 252 in the fixed bearing 238 to prevent rotation of the rod 216.

The heel blank compressing means comprises, as above stated, the plunger or heel die 18, the top compressor member or tread die 20 and the compressor mold In the preferred construction the compressor mold 22 is secured directly to the stationary cross head 15% and consists of a single piece memher having a socket of the shape of the desired blank and in which reciprocates the top compressor member. The lower face of the compressor mold is in a plane inclined to the horizontal so that it is parallel with the main portion of the upper surface of the heel. seat die 18, the latter being located so that upon upward movement thereof it will. enter the mouth of the compressor mold to force the blank into the mold and finally compress it as a result of the co-operation of the three compressing members mentioned. Preferably, the compressor mold is approximately a hundredth of an inch smaller all the way around than the trimmed heel which is to be forced into the given mold, so that, upon forcing the blank into the compressor mold, its sides throughout its entire peri 'iheral edge portions, are compressed. Since the holes in the heel blank are about one thirtysecond of an inch larger than the pins, the latter will not be gripped by the material of the blank as a result of the conipressing operation so that the blank may be readily removed from. the pins by the carrier 14. In the preferred construction the top compressor member 20 is so operated as to present itself at the mouth of the compressor mould at the time that the heel seat die 18 is moving upwardly toward the compressor mold so that the trimmed. heel blank is forced upon the ig pins through the co-operation of the dies 18 and 20 before the blank begins to enter the mold. This insures that the blank will be properly positioned on the heel scat die 18 before any molding operation takes place, and hence, as the trimmed blank approaches the mold, it is so positioned that its sides all around the edge periphery bear the same relationship to the guidii'ig edge portion 260 at the entrance oi? the mold and all of the sides of the heel blank will be op erated upon uniformly as the blank is forced.

into the mold. Following the seating of the heel blank upon the jig pins of the plunger or heel seatdie 18. both dies 18 and 20 move together upwardly into the compressor mold 22 at the same time maintaining firm pressure on the heel seat face and top lift face of the heel blank and during this movement the side edges of the heel blank, as before stated, are compressed through the operation of the compressor mold 22, Finally the die 20 reaches its extreme upward position against the lower face of the stationary cross head 154 while the die 18 continues its upwarc movement, thus giving the final compression to the heel blank in a direction normal to the upper surface of the blank. Subsequently, both the dies 18 and 20 move downwardly again, the die 20 serving as an ejector of the heel blank during this operation. Just as the finished heel appears fully discharged from the compressor mold 22, the clamping arms 90 of the carrier 14: close upon the heel so that upon further retreat of the die 18, the jig pins are withdrawn from the heel blank, and the latter is left in the carrier which discharges this blank at the next succeeding step in the revolution of the carrier. Upon inspection of Fig. 3, it will be observed that the tread die 20 has its operative face 261 inclined so as to be substantially parallel with the surface of the lower die 18. The members of the compressing means have inclined faces so as to operate properly on the heel which has been trimmed while held at an inclination to the horizontal in the trimming means.

While means of any ordinary construction may be employed for operating the top compressor member or die 20, that preferred comprises a construction in which the die is moved upwardly and into engagement with the fixed cross head 15% by yielding means constructed to insure that the top die will reach its backing plate, which is the cross head mentioned, and at the same time ohviate any possibility of breaking the oper ating parts in thus seating the die against its backii'ig plate. Referring to Figs. 2 and 3 it will be observed that the top compressor member or die is operated from a shaft 204% journaled in the frame of the machine and driven from the cam wheel 80 through a lever arm which carries at its lower end a roll 268 movable along a cam slot in the cam wheel 80. Fixed to the other end of the shaft is a lever arm 270 connected at its other end by a ball and socket joint to a two-part link, the upper part 272 of the link being pivoted to the end of a lever 274 and having its lower end pinned at 276 to a sleeve 278 which slid ably encloses the upper end portion of the lower part 280 of the two-part link. Pinned to the extreme upper end of the link par. 280, as at 282, is a collar 28 slidable on the ex erior surface of the sleeve 2'? 8, the pin 282 passing through vertical slots in the side of the sleeve to permit vertical sliding movement of the collar on the sleeve. Inter posed between the collar 284i and a flange at the lower end of the sleeve 278 is a spring 286 which tends to keep the ends of the link parts 272, 280 of the two-part link in contact with each other so that the two-part link may operate most or all of the time as a single link. If, however, the throw of the lever 270 should be such that the upper surface of the top compressor member or die 20 reaches its backing plate before the termination of the movement of the lever 270, no damage will be done since the spring 286 will be compressed to take up the excess movement of the lever 270, thus permitting the operation to be such as to insure contact of the top die 20 with its backing surface, so that the die 20 is in a position to withstand the great pres sure exerted upon it, during a heel compressing operation, by the heel seat die 18 on the movable cross head 1 12. The construction just described is important for the reasons given and for the additional reason that if the die 20 were not in contact with its backing plate at the time the compressing operation is being performed the operating parts, including the rod 290 which carries the die 20, the lever 274:, the link 272, 280, the shaft 264, and the lever 266, being all connected to re sist upward pressure on the die 20, would obviously be subjected to too great a strain, with the result that some of the parts mentioned, would be broken The operating means for the compressor member or die 20, as thus disclosed, is obviously such as to insure proper operation of the die and the avoidance of any possibility of breakage to the operating parts.

In order that the machine may be placed in any convenient place on the factory floor, irrespective of the location of line shafting, it is provided with an electric motor drive, the motor being indicated by reference character 300 and shown as having a gear wheel 302 fined to its armature shaft, which gear is in mesh with a large gear 30a on the shaft 30-6, the said shaft also carrying a relatively small gear 308 which meshes with the large gear 310 on the main driving shaft 312 of the machine. This latter shaft is a crank shaft for operating the toggle 31% through the link 316 which is operatively connected to the crank shaft. Upon inspection of Fig. 2, it will be clear that the toggle 314: serves to reciprocate the movable cross head 1 12, movement of which causes simultaneous operation of the trimming die 16 and of the compressing dies, one of which, die 18, is carried by the cross head 1 12. It will be noted that the clamp arms 90 of the carrier 14; are located closely adjacent to the cutting block 192 and the compressor mold 22, respectively, so that the trimming die 16 and the pair of compressing dies 18 and 20 surrender the respective heel blanks to the clamp arms 90 at the upper ends of the reciprocatory paths of the dies 16 and 18 respectively, at which time the dies are not moving as rapidly as they are later in their retractive movement. Hence, the clamp arms 90 have time to close upon the heel blanks to receive them back again into the carrier for further operations. In this connection it will be noted that the movement of the dies, both in the downward and upward direction, is a continuous movement, though the speed varies as determined by the toggle mechanism utilized in the operating mechanism for the dies. Above the shaft 312 and parallel therewith is a counter shaft 320 to which is secured the cam Wheel 80 for operating the levers 78 and 266, as set forth in the foregoing description. At one end of the shaft 320 is a bevel gear which is constantly in mesh with the bevel gear 322 (Fig. 2) at the lower end of the shaft 324 so that the latter is constantly driven at uniform speed. This movement of the shaft 324 is transmitted to the shaft 162 (Fig. 8) through a gear 326 at the upper end of shaft 32.4. and a gear 328 which is in constant mesh therewith and which is secured to shaft 162.

In operating with the machine illustrated in the drawings, it is necessary merely that the operator keep the magazine 12 supplied with heel blanks to such an extent that a blank will be in position to be moved forwardly at each reciprocation of the feeding slide 30, in order that the machine may be kept working at its full capacity, it being understood that no damage will follow should the carrier fail to receive a heel blank at the receiving station at the end of the table or support 41-.8. As before stated, all of the pairs of arms 90 of the carrier 1e open and close simultaneously and while they are open a blank is moved within the compass of the arms then at the receiving station. At the same time the arms above the trimming die 16 are depositing a heel. blank upon the work supporting and positioning means furnished by the ejector plate 204: and its pins 200, 202, while at the compressing station a trimmed heel blank is deposited upon the heel seat die 18 and the jig pins 208,210 carried thereby, and a fourth pair of clamping arms are open above the chute 146 to discharge the finished blank from the machine. Vihile the clamp arms 90 of the carrier 14: are open at the trimming and compressing stations the trimming die 16 and the heel seat die 18 move upwardly through the arms to carry the respective blanks into the final trin'uning and compressing positions. Upon rctractive movement of the trimming die 16 and the compressing die 18 and just as the latter have receded far enough to bring the blanks carried thereby into the plane of the arms 00, the latter all close again simultaneously with the result that the carrier 14 takes a fresh blank from the table 48 and receives back from the trimming and compressing means the blanks which have just been trimmed and compressed, respectively, and subsequently advances all three blanks one step to present them respectively at the trimming, the compressing and the discharge stations. During each conjiplete cycle of the machine represented by an operative and a retractive stroke of the movable cross head 142, a fresh blank received. into the machine and finished heel discharged tl erefrom.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim as new and desire to secure by etters Patent of the United States is z--- 1. In a machine of the character described, a magazine for blanks, means for trimming a blank, means for compressing a blank, and means for tram-iferrin a blank from the magazine to one of saiu means and then to the other means.

2. In a machine of the character described, means for trimming a blank, means for compressing the trimmed. blank, a magazine for )lanks, and means for transferring a blank from the magazine to the trimming means and for transferring the trimmed blank from the trimming to the compressing means.

3. In a machine of the character described, means for trimming blanks, means for compressing blanks, a magazine for blanks, means for transferring blanks in succession from the magazine to one of said means and then to the other, and means for simultaneously operating the two first-mentioned means, whereby a succession of blanks may be successively trimmed and compressed.

4;. In a machine of the character described, means for trimming blanks, means for compressing blanks, a magazine for blanks, and a carrier having a plurality of blank engaging members for receiving the blanks from the magazine and for moving the blanks first to one and then to the other of the two firstmentioned means.

5. in a machine of the character described, means for trimming a blank, means for compressing a blank, a magazine for blanks, and a carrier having a plurality of blank engaging members operable successively for receiving blanks from the magazine and for moving blanks in succession first to one and then to the other of the two first-mentioned means and for delivering blanks sii'nultaneously to said means.

6. In a machine of the character described, means for trimming a blank and means for compressing a blank having each a blank positioning means located in predetermined re lation with respect to its associated means, and means operative to place a blank first upon one and then upon the other positioning means.

7. In a machine of the character described, means for trimming a blank and means for compressing a blank having each a blank positioning means located in predetermined relation with respect to its associated means,

and a carrier operative to place a blank first upon the positioning means of the trimming means and subsequently upon the positioning means of the compressing means.

8. In a machine of the character described, a cutting block, a die for co-operation with the cutting block to trim a blank, a member associated with the die having a positioning surface for the blank to be operated upon, means for moving the die and said member relatively to each other to position the blank relatively to the die for the trimming oper ation, and means for moving the member and the die relatively to each other at the end of the trimming operation for separating the blank from the die.

9. In a machineof the character described, a cutting block and a die relatively movable to cut the peripheral portions of blanks, a member associated with the die provided with positioning surfaces for locating the blank in a lateral direction with respect to the cutting edge of the die, said member being operable to retreat into the die during the cutting operation on the blank, and means operative upon relative movement of the die and block away from each other for positively causing the said member to eject the blank from the die.

10. In a machine of the character described, a stationary head, a member reciprocable toward and from the head, a blank trimming means and a blank compressing means having each a part located on the head and on the reciprocable member, a carrier for moving blanks from one of said means to the other, and means for operating the reciprocable member whereby the trimming means and the compressing means operate simultaneously upon different blanks.

11. In a machine of the character described, a cutting block, a die for co-operation with the cutting block to trim a blank, a member associated with the die and having a surface for positioning the blank to be operated upon normally located outside of the die, said member being operable to retreat into the die while the later is co-operating with the cutting block to trim the blank, and means for moving the member relatively to the die to eject the blank at the end of the trimming operation.

12. In a machineof the character described, a cutting block and a die relatively movable to cut the peripheral portions of blanks, a member mounted inside of the die and having a portion normally extended outside of the die, for positioning the blank with respect to the cutting edge thereof, said member being movable into the die during the cutting operation on the blank, and means operatix e upon relative movement of the die and block away from each other for positively causing the said member to eject the blank from the die.

13. In a machine of the character described, a cutting block and a die relatively movable to trim the peripheral portion of a blank, a member normally located outside the die for positioning the blank with respect to the cutting edge of the die, and movable into the die during the blank trimming operation, means for causing relative approaching and retractive movements of the die and cutting block, and means operative at a predetermined point in the retractive movement of the die to hold the positioning member against movement whereby the latter is projected from the die to remove the blank therefrom.

14. In a machine of the character described, a cutting block and a die relatively movable to trim the peripheral portion of a blank, a member provided with a positioning surface to locate the blank with respect to the cutting edge of the die, and movable into the die during the blank trimming operation, means for causing relative approaching and retractive movements of the die and cutting block. and a latch operative at a predetermined point in the retractive movement of the die to hold the positioning member against movement with the die whereby the said member is projected from the die to displace the blank from the die. 15. In a machine of the character described, a cutting block, a die having a blank positioning member yieldingly connected thereto for movement into and out of the die, a carrying member for moving the die toward and from the cutting block, a latch operative at a predetermined point in the retractive movement of the die for holding the blank positioning member against movement with the die, whereby the said member is projected from the die to remove the blank from within the die, and a trip member on the die carrying member for operating the latch to cause the release of the blank positioning member.

16. In in a machine of the character described, a plunger having blank positioning means on the blank supporting face thereof, a compressor mold into which the plunger forces the blank, a die movable in the compressormold for co-operationwith the plunger to compress the blank in a direction normal to its surface while the compressor mold prevents expansion in a lateral direction.

17 In a machine of the character described. a plunger having a blank supporting surface and blank positioning means on said surface, a compressor mold for receiving the blank presented by the plunger, a die movable in the compressor mold to meet the blank as the latter is presented at the mouth of the compressor mold and to move with the blank until the latter is within the chamber of the compressor mold, and means for applying power to cause a relative movement of approach of the plunger and die to compress the blank While it is in the compressor mold.

18. In a machine of the character described, aplunger having projecting positioning surfaces to engage complemental positioning surfaces in a blank, a mold having a chamber to receive the blank presented by the plunger, a die movable toward the plunger to press the blank upon the positioning surfaces carried by the plunger, and means for moving the plunger and the die into the chamber and for causing relative mommeni of approach of said die and plunger to compress the blank While in the chamber.

19. In a machine of the character described, aplunger having projecting positioning surfaces to engage coiuplcmcntal positioning surfaces in a blank, a mold hav' 5 a chamber to receive the blank presented by the plunger, a die movable toward the plunger to press the blank upon the positioning surfaces carried by the plunger and movable With the plunger into the mold, and means formoving the die to the mouth of the chamber to eject the blank therefrom.

20. In a machine of the character described, a plunger having projecting positio faces to engage complemental pos. surtaccs in a blank, a mold having a chamber to receive the blank-presented by the plunger, a top compressor member movable toward the plunger to press the blank-upon the positioning surfaces carried by the plunger and to cooperate With the latter in comp. the blank, and means for moving the top conr pressor at the same rate of speed as the plunger in its Withdrawal movement to eject the blank from the chamber andto leave it upon the positioning means on the plunger.

21. In amachineof the character dc bed, a carrier for blanks, trimming means i he blanks, compressing means for the blanks, andmeans at both the trimming and compressing stations for receiving; the blan from the carrier and holding them in predeteii'mincd relation to the trimming and compressing means and for returning the blan to the-carrier at the tern'linatien oitthe respective operations.

In a machine of thecharactor described, a carrier for heel blanks, means for trim ming the blanks, means for compressing the blanks, and means comprising positioning surfaces inside of the field of operation otthe trimming and compressing means for holding the blanks in the same predetern'iined relation to the trimming and compressing means so that the blank trimmed at the trim ming station is properly located with respect to the compressing means at the compressing station.

23. In a machine of the character described, a carrier for heel blanks, a magazine for the blanks, means for moving the blanks one at a time from the magazine to the carrier, ti ming means for the blanks, compressing means for the blanks, and means for moving the carrier to present blanks taken from the magazine successively in position for the operation of the trimming and compressing means.

2 1-. In a machine of the character described, a carrier having gripper arms for receiving heel blanks from a source of supply, trimming means for the blanks, compressing means for the blanks, and means for operating the carrier and the said trimming and compressing means so that the latter receive blanks from the carrier and return them thereto after the respective trimming and compressing operations during the continuous retractive movement of the trimming and compressing means respectively.

25. In a machine of the character described, a carrier having a plurality of gripper arms for carrying blanks, means for presenting a heel blank to the carrier arm at the blank receiving station, trimming means and compressing means at the trimming and comoperating the carrier and the gripping arms thereof so as to receive a blank at the receiving station While the blanks are being received and delivered at the trimming and compressing stations respectively. 7

26. In a machine of the character described, trimming means for blanks, compressing means for blanks, and a jig pin for cachet the means having each the same location with respect to its associatedmeans so that the blank trimmed by the trimming means will be positioned properly by the jig pin otthc compressing means.

27. In a machine of the character described, means for trimming a blank comprising a die, means for compressing a blank subsequently to the trimmingoperation, said compressing means comprising a compressor die the periphery of Which corresponds exactly in shape and size to the cutting edge of the trin'miing die, anda jig pin for each of the said means and having each the same location with respect to the periphery of its associated die so that a blank trimmed by the die when subsequently located on the com pressor die by the jig pin will have its periphery coinciding with the periphery of said compressor die.

28, In a machine oi? the character described, a blank carrier for receivin blanks and presenting them to blank operating means, a table or support having a portion thereof located adjacent to the carrier, said table being provided with a gage to locate blanks properly with respect to the carrier in its blank receiving position, and means for moving the blanks into position against the gage from Whichit may he removed by the carr'er.

29. In a machine ofthe character described, a carrier comprising a pair of clamping arms, a feed table adjacent to the carrier, the carpressing stations res aectively, and means for rier being movable over the table into blank receiving position, said table being provided With a gage for locating a blank for engagement b the clamping arms of the carrier While t 1e carrier is in blank receiving posi tion, and a member movable for pressing a blank against said gage.

30. In a machine of the character described, a carrier comprising a pair of clamping arms, a table adjacent to the carrier, said table being provided With a gage for positioning a blank for engagement by the clamping arms of the carrier, and a reciprocable feeder member for moving a blank across the table and into engagement with the gage.

31. In a machine of the character described, a carrier comprising a pair of clamping arms, a table adjacent to the carrier, said table being provided with a gage for positioning a blank for engagement by the clamping arms of the carrier, a magazine for blanks, and a feeder member for carrying the blanks one at a time over the table and into engagement With said gage.

32. In a machine of the character described, a carrier for blanks having a plurality of clamping arms for receiving and carrying blanks, trimming means for blanks, compressing means for blanks, means for supplying the carrier With blanks, and means for causing the clamping arms to open simul taneously at the blank receiving, blank trimming, blank compressing, and blank delivering stations and for simultaneously closing all of the clamping arms at the said stations to carry the blanks each to a neW station for the proper operation at that station.

33. In a machine of the character described, a carrier comprising a pair of clamping arms, means for delivering blanks to the carrier at an inclination to the plane thereof, and means for trimming the blanks to provide an inclined edge portion on one part of the periphery of each blank.

34-. In a machine of the character described, blank operating means, a blank carrier for receiving blanks and presenting them to the blank operating means, and a table or support having a portion thereof located adjacent to the carrier and in a plane inclined to the plane of the carrier, said table being provided With a gage to locate the blank properly With respect to the carrier, said carrier being operative to receive the blanks with the top surface thereof inclined to the plane of the carrier and to deliver the blanks at the same inclination to the blank operating means.

35. In a machine of the character described, a carrier comprising a pair of clamping arms, and a table adjacent to the carrier and inclined to the plane thereof, the clamping arms being arranged to close upon the blank upon the inclined table to hold the blank in the inclined position in Which it'is received until its delivery by the carrier.

36. In a machine of the character described, a carrier comprising a pair of clamping arms, a table adjacent to the carrier and inclined to the plane of the carrier, a gage for positioning a blank for engagement by the clamping arms of the carrier, and a reciprocable feeder member for moving a blank across the table and into engagement With the gage.

37. In a machine of the character described, means for compressing a heel part comprising a heel seat die, a compressor mold having a backing plate, an ejector movable in the mold, yieldingly operated means for moving the ejector into contact With the backing plate, and means for causing relative approaching movements of the ejector and of the die to engage the Work, and for subsequently moving the ejector and die into the mold to compress the Work.

38. In a machine of the character described, means for trimming a heel blank to produce a slanting surface on the convex edge portion thereof, a heel seat die member, a compressor mold, an ejector member movable in the mold, positioning means and a supporting surface located on one of said members for holding the trimmed heel at the proper inclination, and means for causing the said members to approach each other to engage the Work With the positioning means and for subsequently moving both the members into the mold to compress the blank.

39. In a machine of the character described, T

means for compressing a heel part comprising relatively reciprocable members, a carrier. for heel parts comprising an arm having clamping members for engaging opposite sides of a heel part, means for opening the clamping members to permit the compressing means to engage a heel part and operate therethrough to perform the compressing operation and means for closing the clamping members after a compressing operation thereby causing the clamping members again to engage the heel part.

40. In a machine of the character described, a plurality of instrumentalities for operating on Work, and positioning means for the Work associated With each instrumentality for successively engaging With the same positioning surfaces on the Work to locate the work properly for successive operations, and means for moving the Work from one instrumentality to another.

41. In a machine of the character described, a plurality of instrumentalities for operating on Work, positioning means for the Work comprising a jig pin associated With each instrumentality and operative to engage with the same positioning surface on the Work, and means for moving pieces of Work in succession to said instrumentalities.

42. In a machine of the character described,

a plurality. of instrumentalities for operating successively on pieces of Work, a jigpin' associated With each instrumentalityand operative to engage the same positioningsurface on the Work,.a11d means for seatingithe Work on the pin prior" to the operation bycach instrumentality.

43. In a machine of the character described, means for compressing-a heel part, meansoperative before the compressing means for trimming the heel part, a jig pin associated With the trimming means for engagement With a positioning'suriace on the heel part whereby the relationship bGiIWGQiI'thG positioning surface and the trimmed surface is established, and positioning means associated With the compressing meansfor-engaging the same positioning surl ace on the heel part.

44. In amachine ofthe character described, means for trimming a heel part, means for compressing a heel part, and acarrier operative to receive heel parts from a sourccof supply, deliver them in succession to the trim ming and cen'lpressing means, receive them back again, and dispose otthem at-a discharge station.

45. In a'machine oi the character described, means for trimmingandcomprcssing a heel part, a magazine for heel parts, and a carrier operative to receive heel parts from the mega Zinc and deliver them in succession to the triinn'iing and co'mpressing means;

l6. In a machine of the character described, trimming and compressing means for heel parts, a magazine for heel parts,anda carrier having a plurality of arms for receiving heel parts from the magazine anddelivering them in succession to the trimming and-compressing means.

47. In a machine of the character described, trimming and compressing means for heel parts, a carrier for heel parts intermittently movable to deliver heel parts from a source of supply first to the trimmingmeans and then to the compressing means, and means for receiving the heelparts frointhe carrier and for delivering them again to the carrier iioilowing the trinimingiand compressing operations.

48. In a machine ofthe character described, trimming and compressing means for heel parts, a carrier intermittently: operative to receive heel parts from a source of supply and transfer them successively to the'trimming and compressing means, and moving means for the carrier operative also to lock the latter in position inoperative relation to the trimming and compressing means.

49. In a machine of the character described, trimming and compressing means for heel parts, a carrier intermittently operative to receive heel partsfrom a source of supply and transfer them successively to the trimming and compressing means, moving means forthe carrier operative also toloek the latter esa-201 in position in operative relation to the trimming and compressing means, and means for alining the carrier accurately with respect to said last-mentioned means.

50. In a machine of the character described, means for compressing a heel part comprising a heel seat die, a compressor mold, a tread die movable in the mold, means located on one of the dies for positioning a lank relatively to the mold, and means for causing relative approaching movements of the two dies to engage opposite sides'ot the Work and for subsequently movingboth of the dies into the mold to compress the Work.

51. In a machine of the character described, a heel seat die member, a compressor mold, atop compressor member movable in the mold, Work positioning means located on one of said members, and means for causing the said members to approach each other to seat the Work upon the positioning means and for subsequently moving both the members into the mold.

In a machine of the character described, means for trimming a heel part comprising rclatively reciprocable members, a carrier for heel parts comprising an arm having clamping members for engaging opposite sides of a heel part, means for opening the clamping members, and means for causing the trimming means to engage a heel part and to operate through the clamping members to perform the trimming operation.

A machine of the class described, having, in combination, a heel trimmer and a heel support provided with one or more jig pins arranged to enter corresponding jig holes in the heels to be trimmed to control the position of the heels during the trimming operation.

54. A heel clamp comprising a plate arranged to receive a heel and having one or more jig pins carried thereby and arranged to enter corresponding holes in the heels to control the position 01 the heels, and a cooperating plate arranged to apply pressure to heels thus positioned.

55. A machine of the class described having, in combination, means for operating upon heels, a heel clamp provided With one or more pins arranged to enter corresponding holes in the heels to control the position of the heels, means for causing the clamp to grip the heels during operation thereon, and means for releasing the heels from the clamp after the conclusion of the operation.

56. A machine of the class described having, in combination, a heel trimming tool and a heel clamp comprising a plate arranged to receive a heel and having one or more jig pins carried thereby and arranged to enter corresponding holes in the heels to control the position thereof during the trim- EUGENE J. RAY. 

